When to Wear Pregnancy Clothes
Most women do not need to wear maternity clothes until about their 16th week of pregnancy. When you should wear pregnancy clothes largely depends on the number of pregnancies you've experienced, how much weight you've gained, your body type and what is more comfortable to you.
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Number of Pregnancies
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Generally, women who have been pregnant before begin to show earlier and may need to wear pregnancy clothes sooner. It has nothing to do with weight gain, but rather the quicker expansion of the uterus. A woman's uterus--along with the waistline--begins to expand to accommodate the growing fetus. A woman experiencing her first pregnancy may not need to wear maternity clothes until she's about 16 weeks along, while a woman who has already had children may need to start wearing them at 12 weeks.
Weight Gain
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It goes without saying that the greater the weight gain, the more likely the need for pregnancy clothes. Many women do not gain much weight in the first trimester--they may actually lose weight during this period--and do not notice a significant change in their bodies. Women who gain significant weight in their first trimester may need to wear pregnancy clothes sooner than those that follow the pregnancy weight-gain guidelines.
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Body Type
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A short woman is more likely to begin wearing pregnancy clothes sooner than a tall woman because she does not have the length in her torso for the uterus to expand vertically; instead, it will push outward and expand her waistline.
Comfortability
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When a woman's regular pants and skirts become uncomfortably snug, or her tops hug the stomach too tightly, it's time to buy pregnancy clothes. Many women opt to wear pregnancy clothes well before, and after, 16 weeks because their bodies are letting them know that they can no longer comfortably wear their usual clothes.
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